Laudato Si
Hello,
You have found a very special page – full of joy and hope for a better future. How will that future happen? That depends on you …
Are you up for an adventure, a voyage of discovery, a pilgrimage? Of course you are!
First of all, what sort of pilgrim are you able to be today? Maybe you are a seasoned pilgrim and need a challenging read? If so, may I shake your hand, bow to your strength and direct you on a journey to Italy and the full Laudato Si from dear Papa Francesco. Continue your journey with Pope Francis by looking at Laudate Deum (published in 2023), the Pope’s call to care for our “common home”.
If you need an easier journey today, there are many paths to explore:
Journey with Catholics worldwide through Laudato Si Week , where you can keep up with the news or take part in events.
 Enjoy a guided walk to learn more about caring for our common home. |
Look at some suggestions as to how you could be more ecologically friendly in caring for your home. |
 Take a journey with SCIAF in caring for our common home and bringing ‘Laudato Si’ to life. |
 Click on the picture above, save it and colour it online (e.g. using the Paint app), or take a light stroll to your box of colouring pencils, download the pdf below and colour that in. SCIAF Laudato Si colouring sheet (pdf). |
“Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs” ~ Canticle of the Creatures, Saint Francis of Assisi Enjoy a walk in a park or garden near you and praise God for the beauty of the natural world. |
 Perhaps we could take a walk towards being an Eco Congregation? This ecumenical journey introduces great examples and there are plenty of great ideas for action. |
 Children of all ages may enjoyCAFOD Kidz Zone, for prayers, colouring sheets and many more fun things to do. |
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ~ Matthew 25:34-36 |
If you do nothing else today, walk with the children in a Prayer For Our Earth. And perhaps rest here a while and pray: |
A prayer for our earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
A Christian prayer in union with creation
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.